Handmaid's tale chapter one Flashcards
what are key words/techniques for this chapter?
palimpsest- a place on a parchment where writing has been scraped out and written over- suggests that Atwood views history to have been moulded to fit a certain narrative
Asyndetic and Polysyndetic listing- sense that regime has invaded all parts of life
the context of fashion during this time?
1950s- felt skirted circle skirts
1960s- miniskirts
1970s- punk era
“dances”of the 1980s, these are references to youth and sexuality as well as rebellion
what is the significance of the narrative voice of HMT/setting?
Narrated by Offred, the first chapter is retrospective
Set in Gilead which is a theocratic, patriarchal regime- the name comes form a mountain from Genesis, on which was taken an oath to let God be the judge of human affairs and disputes
in Gilead everyone has been assigned to a particular role/social class
Women are forced to succumb to male authority, the handmaids have to serve the commander and bear children.,
